Distracted Driving Accidents in Long Island, NY
The Dangers of Distracted Driving
In today’s technologically advanced society, there are a multitude of ways in which a driver can distract themselves while behind the wheel and cause a car accident. From talking on a cell phone and texting to utilizing a navigation system, it is no surprise that distracted driving accidents occur at an astounding rate across the country. According to the statistics that have been compiled by the U.S. Government’s website for distracted driving, nearly 3,100 people are killed each year at the hands of a distracted driver, while another 416,000 are seriously injured.
This means that approximately 18% of all collisions resulting in an injury are caused by distracted driving practices and that nearly 1.6 million accidents can be prevented annually by paying attention to the road. Although new laws have been implemented in nearly every state of the U.S. which ban the use of cell phones while driving, people continue to put themselves, and others, at risk when they decided to text and drive or carry on a conversation while navigating through congested roadways.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are three mains types of distraction: visual, manual and cognitive. Unfortunately, most distracted driving practices involve all three. For example, if a driver decides to input data into a navigation system while driving, they are not only taking their eyes off of the road, but they are taking their hands off of the wheel and applying their attention to something other than the road in front of them. As such, it is no surprise that 1 in 3 drivers report that they feel less safe while behind the wheel than they did five years ago—the reason being the much greater prevalence of distracted drivers out on the road. When a careless individual decides to endanger themselves and anyone else in the vicinity, they have also inadvertently taken on the responsibility of paying for the subsequent damage that they cause. For this reason, if you or a loved one has been injured in this type of car accident, it is important to understand that you have legal rights. As such, you should waste no time in speaking to a Long Island personal injury attorney after an accident.
Taking the Right Steps After a Collision
If you are ever involved in a distracted driving accident, you must remember to take a few simple steps—as doing so could mean the difference between recovering compensation for your injuries and suffering the consequences alone. First, it is important to take pictures of the scene of the accident, including any damage that was done to your vehicle and the other driver’s vehicle, as well as of any injuries that you have sustained. By snapping a few quick pictures with your cell phone, you will have undisputable physical evidence. Secondly, do not hesitate to speak to any witnesses and gather their contact information for future reference. In the event that the other party makes false allegations about how the accident really happened, you will have at least one other person on your side to corroborate the truth. Finally, seek medical attention immediately. Your health should be your top priority, so regardless of how minor your injuries may be, you should be checked out by a medical professional as soon as possible after the accident.
What to do if you see a distracted driver
If you are driving and notice the signs of a distracted driver, it is best to give the driver space. If the driver is behind you, consider pulling over to let the driver pass to avoid being rear-ended by a driver who isn’t paying attention.
If the driver seems to be posing a significant risk to themselves and others, pull over to the side of the road, write down their license plate number, and call 911. Do not try to engage a distracted driver; call 911 while driving (and risk becoming distracted yourself); or attempt to make the driver pull over.
Ways to prevent instances of distracted driving
The best way to prevent distracted driving incidents is to actively choose to not drive while distracted. Put your phone away, hand the GPS to a passenger, leave the radio alone, and wait to eat until you are either parked or at home.
Additionally, act as a role model for younger drivers by following best driving practices when young people are in the car – lead by example.
If you are a passenger in a car with a distracted driver, encourage the driver to stop what they are doing to prevent accidents and injuries.
What Is Considered Distracted Driving?
One of the most common causes of car accidents in the state of New York is distracted driving. Thousands of individuals each year crash because one reason or another, they’re not focusing their attention on the roads and the vehicles around them.
For those injured as a result of distracted driving, proving fault often means showing that the driver acted in a negligent manner. Knowing what is considered distracted driving can help you in your journey to pursue compensation after a distracted driving accident.
Texting and Driving
Texting and driving is likely the most common form of distracted driving. We live in a world of technology when so many people can’t take the time to put down their phones out of fear of missing something they deem important.
Unfortunately, those few seconds it takes to look at a cell phone gives a driver enough time with their eyes off the road to cause significant harm.
Mental Distractions
Anything that alters a driver’s state of mind and takes their focus off of driving can be a mental distraction and cause a crash. Some of the issues that may cause mental distractions include conversations with passengers, thoughts of a crisis in the family, or even listening to music too loudly.
Visual Distractions
People will try to do all sorts of multitasking when driving, but when the action takes the driver’s eyes off the road, it can create a significant problem for others. Visual distractions can also include turning to look at something or someone in the vehicle or staring at the radio as you browse through stations.
Unfortunately, some of the most common distracted drivers are teenagers. They’re often in the vehicle with a bunch of friends or texting while driving, putting themselves, their passengers, and other drivers at serious risk of harm.
Will I Need to Hire a Long Island Accident Attorney?
In the wake of a serious accident, you may be faced with piling medical bills, the inability to return to work and the inability to transport yourself from one place to another. If someone else was responsible for causing the accident in which you were injured, you should not hesitate to pursue the compensation that you will need to cover these expenses. As such, it is important to enlist the help of a car accident lawyer right away and review the circumstances of your accident. By consulting with a legal professional from The Odierno Law Firm, P.C., you can rest assured that your best interests will be kept in mind throughout the entire process and that we will do whatever we can to assist you in pursuing the monetary compensation that you deserve.
Get started today by calling our office directly for a free case evaluation immediately. There is no time to waste in the aftermath of a distracted driving accident, as evidence could be lost, so take action today with the help of our firm.
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